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Plea for man missing in Israel: 'Bring back our brother'

Community leaders gathered in Lakewood to call attention to the disappearence of Aaron Sofer in Israel and to plead for help in finding him. Sofer was a student at an Orthodox school in Jerusalem.
STAFF VIDEO BY BOB BIELK

Concerned that he may have either injured himself and lost consciousness or been abducted, hundreds of people reportedly have searched for the Orthodox student ever since.

There have been no claims of abduction by any group or individual, said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., on the steps of the Lakewood municipal building, where more than 100 people gathered on Tuesday.

"We're looking at a pretty small piece of real estate," said Smith, who spoke on Monday with Secretary of State John Kerry's chief of staff about the search. "After the first day, you become concerned. This is the fourth day."

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Yaakov Sofer, brother of Aharon Sofer, 23, a Lakewood resident who has gone missing while studying in Israel, speaks to the media at a press conference Tuesday.
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Rep. Dov Hikind, a New York state assemblyman who represents a Brooklyn district with a large Orthodox population like Lakewood, said the Israeli government is not doing enough to search for Sofer.

"Treat Aaron as though he is an Israeli soldier," Hikind said. "Time is of the essence."

While Smith said he understands that most of the wooded area has been thoroughly searched by now, he noted that it includes deep ravines where it is possible a person could have fallen. Previous reports that searchers found items that may have belonged to Sofer are unconfirmed, Smith said.

It is unclear how Sofer and his friend became separated or why they chose to go for a hike in a wooded area in Israel, Smith said. It took hours for the friend to report Sofer missing, Smith said.

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez both issued statements expressing support for the Sofer family.

"I'm deeply concerned about his disappearance," Booker said. "I will continue to press for all possible resources to be used."

Sofer's parents are in Israel to be closer to the search efforts, Smith said.

Sofer's family said little at Tuesday's conference, only appearing briefly to make short statements about their relative.